Research in India needs impetus in both quality and quantity

Mohali, Apr 12 (UNI) Professor C N R Rao, Chairman, Scientific Advisory Council to Prime Minister, today stressed upon encouraging both the quantity and quality of research in the country.

Professor Rao, who is also President of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, while speaking at the fourth convocation function of National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) said, ''Decline in the number as well as the quality of research is a serious concern for the country and efforts should be made to encourage quality research activities''.

''Last year, in China 60,000 PhD degrees were given while in India the number of PhDs were just around 4,000,'' he said. However, he said ''Though doing lot of research, even China is facing the issue of quality.'' Expressing concern over the decline in research activities in universities of the country, Prof Rao said, ''20 years ago 60 per cent of the research were from universities but now their contribution is just 20 per cent.'' ''Our institutions are becoming too disciplinary and rigid.

Research can be done only when there is a scope for free thinking, so it is essential to encourage flexibility in the educational system.'' He stressed that there should also be inter-disciplinary approach in the education system. ''It is essential not only for the overall development of a student, but also for development of science.'' Lauding the academic standard of NIPER and its contribution in the pharmaceutical sector, Prof Rao said, ''great institutions are those where ordinary people walk in and come out as extraordinary achievers.'' UNI PS JN RC BD1605